Simplifying Trig Equation for B w/ Alpha & Beta

  • Thread starter Thread starter neutrino2063
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Trig
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on simplifying the trigonometric equation involving variables B, alpha, and beta. The original equation is complex, and the user seeks to transform it into a simpler form involving B. Suggestions include using double-angle identities for cosine and sine, and substituting relationships for alpha and beta to eliminate trigonometric functions. There was a clarification regarding the definition of alpha, which was initially misstated, and the need to ensure that the variables are correctly defined to simplify the equation effectively. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying trigonometric identities and substitutions to achieve the desired simplification.
neutrino2063
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I need to somehow simplify:

\frac{1}{B^2}=\frac{1+\cos{2\alpha}}{2k_1}+\frac{\sin{2\alpha}}{2k_2}+\frac{\alpha}{k_2}

to:

B=\sqrt{\frac{2}{L}}\sqrt{\frac{\beta}{1+\beta}}

Where:

\alpha=\frac{L}{2}k_2 and \beta=\frac{L}{2}k_1

And \beta is also defined transcendentally:

\beta=\alpha\tan{\alpha}

Any ideas would be appreciated, I see no way of getting rid of the trig functions. I've tried looking for identities and even given it to mathematica; it seems to me I'm missing some sort of special trick.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Is it a typo that alpha and beta are equal? It seems an unnecessary complication to add another variable if it's not needed. Otherwise I would just start substituting things into the right side of your first equation and see where that takes me.
 
Ah, it is... thanks, it's fixed now alpha should be (L/2)*k2
 
Now replaces cos(2 alpha) and sin(2 alpha) using the double-angle identities, and use your other two relationships to get rid of alpha to see if you can make the right side look like the left.
 
Back
Top